Acetic Acid

Used in making Mindererous' spirit, which enters into fever mixture, distemper mixture, etc.; also as a cooling lotion, combined with sal ammoniac and spirit, for application to swellings and bruises, to reduce local inflammation where the skin is not broken.

Cooling Lotion

The following is the formula: Take sal ammoniac 4 ounces, strong acetic acid 10 ounces, boiling water 10 ounces, methylated spirit 2 ounces. Powder the sal ammoniac and dissolve in the boiling water and acetic acid, and add the spirit.

Before applying the lotion it must be mixed with eight or ten parts of cold water, and the part kept constantly wetted with it until heat, pain and other inflammatory symptoms have disappeared. N. B. - An intermittent use of such lotions by causing reaction often does more harm than good.

Gallic Acid. Astringent And Stypic

Given in diabetes and for internal hemorrhage. Dose, three to eight grains. The following powders are a useful form in which to administer it.

Styptic Powders

Take gallic acid 3 grains, powdered alum 4 grains, powdered opium 1/2 grain, to make one powder. One to be given twice or thrice" a day.

Aconite

The common name of this plant is monk's-hood, and both the leaves and root are used in medicine. The liniment of aconite of the British Pharmacopoeia often proves of great value in assuaging the pangs of rheumatism, and the tincture added to the distemper mixture is, in cases where there is nervous excitement, of great value. It must always be given with great caution. The dose of the tincture is from one-half to three drops, according to age and size.

Aloes-This is one of the safest and best purgatives for the dog, the dose is from ten grains up to twenty grains, the dog requiring a proportionately much larger dose of this drug than man; it is, however, always advisable to try the effects of the smaller dose first, as the lives of many dogs are sacrificed to a rash boldness in administering overdoses. Aloes are generally given in conjunction with other purgatives, as jalap, rhubarb, etc., and they enter into the composition of most aperient pills made for the dog. The following is a useful mild aperient bolus:

Mild Aperient Bolus

Take aloes socotrine, 1 1/2 drams; powdered jalap, 2 scruples; powdered ginger, 1 scruple; Castile soap, 1/2 dram; make into twelve balls. Dose, one or two. Or for small dogs, into 24 pills.

Alum

Astringent; dose four to eight grains, given in diabetes and internal hemmorrhage (see Acid, gallic). Alum is also given in cases of obstinate diarrhea, in conjunction with opium, and it may be advantageously given in such cases as a clyster, dissolved in gruel. Burnt alum is a very mild caustic applied to fungus growths.

Ammonia, Aromatic Spirits Of (Spirit Of Sal Volatile)

A diffusible stimulant and antacid. It is useful in colic, and is given in cases of depression of the vital powers. The dose is from ten drops to a teaspoonful. It must always be largely diluted before it is given.

Ammonia, Muriate

Sal ammoniac. For uses see Acetic acid.

Ammonia, Solution Gf Acetate Of (Mindererus' Spirit)

Given in febrile and inflammatory disorders, distemper, pneumonia, etc. The following mixture for distemper which may be given in any case where feverishness or inflammation is present:

Distemper Mixture

Take chlorate of potash 2 drams, sweet spirit of nitre 2 drams, Mindererus' spirit 1 ounce, tincture of henbane 2 drams, water sufficient to make 4 ounces. Dose, from one-half to three teaspoonfuls three or four times a day.

Ammonia, Strong Liquid

This is used as a blister to the dog (see Blisters). Diluted with three parts of distilled water, it forms the spirit of hartshorn of the shops, which, with other articles, is used as a liniment for sprains, bruises, rheumatism, etc.

Liniment For Sprains

Equal parts of spirit of hartshorn, turpentine, rape oil, and laudanum, make a generally useful liniment for the above purposes. If in a glass-stoppered bottle it will not be impaired by keeping.

Antimonial Powder (True James' Powder)

This is given as a febrifuge and diaphoretic in doses of from four to six grains; it is preferred to tartar emetic, as not being so likely to excite the dog's stomach. It is by some relied on as a cure for distemper.

Antimony, Tartarated (Tartar Emetic)

This, as its name implies, is an emetic. On the dog's stomach it acts very quickly; but, indeed, vomiting appears to be quite a natural act in the dog, and no doubt it is attended with beneficial results when he is his own doctor and applies to his natural physic, the couch or dog grass; but this habit in the dog has been used to his injury, and the use of emetics shamefully abused, and from being treated as a panacea for all dog ills, has done much harm. Emetics are, however, of use, and it is not bad practice to give one on the first appearance of distemper or jaundice, and in cases of poisoning they are our sheet anchor. The dose of tartar emetic, as an emetic, is from one to three grains given dissolved in warm water, and the dog freely drenched with it. It is also used as a febrifuge in doses of one-eighth of a grain to half a grain; but for this purpose the James's Powder, another preparation of antimony, is to be preferred.

Arnica, Tincture Of

This is applied externally as a stimulant in sprains, bruises and rheumatic lameness ,and also for dispersing tumors. It should be used as a lotion diluted with from ten to twenty parts of cold water.

Arsenic, Fowler's Solution Of

This is, I believe, the only way in which arsenic is given to the dog. It is an alterative, and, as such, is of great value in some cases of mange and other obstinate skin diseases. The dose is from two to eight drops. It should always be given on a full stomach, and it must be withheld for a week or so if it has produced redness of the eyes, running of watery fluid from the nose, and a loathing of food. I generally give it with a tonic to prevent this last result. Give each dose in a teaspoonful of tincture of gentian or Peruvian bark, immediately after a meal.